[Nathan's POV:]
Mira and Amaya were both my friends in high school. One was like a student to me; the other, a rival.
Mira was beautiful and had a touch of charm—she did well enough in cheerleading. But Amaya… she was exceptional. A true prodigy. She outshone Mira in every single way—academics, sports, art, and looks.
All her life, Mira had lived under Amaya's shadow. Her twin never left her any space to stand out. Amaya was always the one people admired—smart, graceful, perfect. Naturally, that kind of perfection breeds resentment.
I once heard that their parents even left Mira at home to study while they went on vacation with Amaya, afraid Mira would "shame" the family with bad grades. So yes, she had every reason to hate her sister.
To me, though, they were identical—not just in face, but in how they moved, spoke, and laughed. I never felt drawn to either of them… until that day.
Amaya confessed to me that morning. Then, by evening, Mira stood in front of me too, cheeks red, eyes trembling, and told me her feelings.
I could tell neither of them knew the other had done the same.
The next day, I called them both to a café and told them what had happened. That's when they realized—they even shared the same taste in men.
And right there, I gave them my answer.
I chose Mira over Amaya.
Of course, once Mira and I started dating, she often asked me why. Why her? Why not the sister I seemed to get along with so easily?
I never told her. Not until now.
But I suppose…it's finally time.
....
"Because you were what I was searching for," I told her quietly, my voice carrying more weight than I intended. "Amaya was smart, ambitious—someone everyone admired. But no matter how perfect she seemed, I never felt that pull toward her."
I could feel Mira's gaze on me, those trembling eyes trying to read between my words. I kept my eyes lowered to the pavement, gathering my thoughts before I continued, "But it wasn't the same with you."
Her voice came, soft and fragile. "Why is that?"
I looked up, meeting her eyes head-on. "Because I've seen sides of you no one else cared to notice. I've seen you practicing the violin alone, even when no one was listening. I've seen you fixing your cheerleading form during breaks while everyone else laughed and left. I've seen the quiet pain behind your smiles, Mira. How hard you tried—not to outshine Amaya—but just to be seen. To be acknowledged. To hear your sister praise you... to make your parents proud."
Her body trembled; her lips parted as if to speak, but no words came. The moonlight flickered across her eyes, and for a moment, I could see all the years she had swallowed her sadness and smiled through it.
With a heavy sigh, I reached for her hand—her cold, delicate hand that still carried faint calluses from all the things she tried so hard to perfect. "I fell for *that* Mira," I said softly. "The one who never gave up. The one who kept moving forward no matter how many times life pushed her down. You were bruised, forgotten, and still, you tried. That's what made me choose you… over her."
I glanced at her and noticed a single tear sliding down her cheek.
Silently, I scooted closer, offering my presence as she leaned her head against my shoulder.
I understood how much it had stung all her life to be compared to her sister. And now, finally, being recognized had moved her.
Once she had calmed, I asked softly, "Shall we walk a little? The breeze feels nice."
She nodded quietly, and we stood, our hands still intertwined—she never letting go.
We walked in silence, the breeze brushing gently against us.
After a moment, Mira spoke, "Thank you for telling me all this… I always thought you pitied me… that rejecting me would break me completely. And maybe it would have."
I smiled at her. "That was never the case. It was never pity, Mira. I loved the girl you are."
I saw her cheeks flush slightly at my words.
We came to a stop beneath a tree. I looked up and asked, "Do you remember this spot, Mira?"
Sighing, I added, "This… is where—"
"We shared our first kiss," she finished softly, her eyes cast downward, as she tucked a loose strand of her hair behind her ear.
I am sure she must be reminded of the day as I was.
I could feel her heart rate was high, and her body was turning hot.
I slowly stepped closer, not touching her anywhere and just letting her know about my intentions.
She didn't back away, nor did she stop me.
I then slowly raised my hand and cupped her cheek.
Our eyes met once again as I asked, "Let me remember those moments one last time, Mira." I whispered, my lips already drawing close to hers.
Her lips met mine with a desperate intensity, soft at first, then hungry.
Within seconds, we were locked in a fiery embrace.
"This… this is wrong," she gasped between kisses, pressing her body against mine, every inch demanding more.
I didn't pull away. My hands slid along her sides, brushing against the curves of her waist, feeling the heat radiating off her. She shivered under my touch, but instead of stopping, she pressed harder, clutching me as if she could burn away the months of longing with this one moment.
Her lips moved with growing urgency, soft moans escaping as I tilted my head, deepening the kiss. Every brush of my fingers along her back, along her arms, stoked the fire between us.
"I shouldn't… be…" she whispered, trembling, but the way she clung to me, pressed against me, betrayed every word.
I captured her lower lip with mine, holding it, teasing, letting her hunger match mine, while my hand slid to her neck, fingers curling into her hair. The air between us was thick with heat, the world outside—the rules, Troy, everything—disappearing.
Her hands tangled in my shirt, pulling me impossibly close, and I responded in kind, softly fondling her butt, making her moan.
She was grinding herself against me without knowing. I can feel the heat she was feeling without her needing to tell me.
When we parted, there was a silver line attaching our lips.
We just stared into each other's eyes for a moment before her phone rang.
She broke out of the daze as she saw the name of the call.
Troy.
I nodded for her to pick as she pressed the green icon.
"Troy?"
I faintly heard him saying,
[How is your aunt?]
Oh, so she made an excuse for her aunt, huh?
Mira glanced at me before telling him-ah, lying to him,
"She...is fine...I am with her now."
°°°°°°°
A/N:- Thanks for reading.